Fluorescent lamp tube and mounting means therefor



Sept. 25, 1951 E. o. BENNETT 2,569,143

FLUORESCENT LAMP I TUBE AND MOUNTING MEANS THEREFOR Filed May 27, 1948 Fig.

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Patented Sept. 25, 1951 FLUORESCENT LAMP TUBE? AND"M'O UNTING MEANS THEREFORE Ernest-O. Bennett, B1iiefie1a,. w.va. AppIication-MayZ'I, 1948, Serial No.,29,518

This inventionrelates to improvements in fluorescent lighting means andais adapted to increase the efficiency in the operation. of such means.

.The present fluorescent light fails to provide adequate service due to the uncertainty of the operation thereof and the greatest percentage of such trouble is due topoor'contact of the fluorescent tubeorbulb'with' the-retaining socket; This is undoubtedly-due to' the'fact'that the'poi'nts of contact are much too small, and as a result, fluorescent tubes loosen and fall out, this being particularly true if there is any vibration in the fixture. In the event that the contact becomes fused, a condition that frequently exists, the light in the fluorescent tube will flicker or go out entirely.

An object of the invention therefore, is to retain fluorescent light bulbs in operative condition at all times so that they will light up without fail when put to use.

Another object of the invention is to retain fluorescent tubes in electric contact at all times, by the elimination of the usual contact means in use today, which are generally too small, with the result that fluorescent tubes loosen until they fall out.

And another object of the invention is to provide adjustable means to receive the fluorescent tubes and retain them in rigid position during the life thereof, after which they may be readily removed and new tubes substituted therefor.

With these and numerous other objects in view, the invention consists in the novel features of construction, combination and arrangement of parts as will be hereinafter referred to and more particularly pointed out in the specification and claim.

In the accompanying drawings:

Figure l is a side elevation of the fluorescent tube and mounting means therefor, with certain parts in section;

Figure 2 is an enlarged sectional view of the invention;

Figure 3 is a transverse vertical section of the device and is taken substantially on line 33 of Figure l, and

Figure 4 is a perspective view of a screwthreaded mounting means for the fluorescent light.

Referring to the figures, the invention is in- ?dicated generally by numeral I and consists of ;a holder I2 and a fluorescent tube or bulb I4. The device is retained within a suitable hood I6,

tapering outwardly, in a usual manner. Hood I6 1 Claim. (01. 240-5111) 2: i's'=securedto a ceiling orthe like by'suitablesupport rodsor' bars l8 extending vertically therefrom and retained-by bolts 20'. A suitable-housing 2'2 retains-electric-cables 24- therein and lead's to a source of current. A- pairof dependent brackets 26 extend, in spaced relation, the medial and longitudinal length of hood I6; Brackets 26 aresui'ta'bly'welded'at28to hood i6.

' Mounted on each-extremity ofhood I ii -between bracket-members 26 "is a "(r-shapedholder I '2 is best illustrated in Figure 2, holder I2 is made of suitably insulated material and is bored in the lower, lateral arm 30 at 32, for a purpose presently toappear. The upper leg 32 is also bored transversely. While bores 32 are identical for each holder I2, the bores in the other arm are not. Thus, it is seen that bore 34 in the right-hand holder is annular in shape and retains therein a suitable screw 36. In this construction, holder I2 is not capable of adjustment. Referring to holder I2, as seen on the left, bore 38 is in the shape of an elongated slot and receives therein aheaded screw 40. In this construction, holder I2 is adapted for longitudinal adjustment in order to accommodate fluorescent tube M, the slot 38 being of sufficient length to permit the holder to be moved a suflicient distance to admit the tube I4.

Fluorescent bulb I4 contains the usual envelope body 42, but terminates in threaded end portions or mounting bases 44. It is to be noted that these threaded extremities are of left-handed and righthanded threads. The threads are of rather widely spaced construction, in a manner similar to the Mason jar, for quick mounting in holder I2. Threaded ends 44 terminate in suitable contact points 46.

Referring to Figure 4, a threaded insert 48 including an apertured attaching ear 5|] at one extremity thereof, is inserted into bore 32 on holder I2. The threads on insert 48 are similar in size to that of threads 44 of fluorescent light I 4. Both left-handed and right-handed inserts will be used. As is clearly illustrated in Figures 2 and 3, cable 24 extends the length of hood I6 and is connected with a source of current supply, not shown. Cable 24 divides into two sections, each section being placed in operative connection with a holder I2. Cable 24 terminates in a spring contact strip 49, strip 49 engaging contact point 46 on bulb I4. Terminal screws 52 secure wires 24 and contact st ip 49 to holder I2. Contact 49 extends into bore 32 through suitable apertures, and it is to be noted that it is of tension spring construction so that it always is in electrical connection with tube l4.

The direction of rotation for fluorescent tube I4 is marked plainly on the tubeitself at 52, and

the threaded extremities thereof are indicated as being left or right. Tube I4 is positioned between holders [2 and is rapidly placed in position by engagement of threaded extremities 44 in threaded inserts 48. Slot 38 in holder 12 permits longitudinal adjustment of the holder to enable the bulb 14 to be inserted and removed. Electrical contact is insured at all times by the spring construction of strips 49 and there can be no failure in operation. It will be noted that insert 48 is of smaller size than sockets in use today, and thereeral objects of the invention are attained. As

many modifications of the embodiment illustrated might be made without departing from thespirit or scope of the invention, and the above description and the accompanying drawings shall be considered illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

Having described the invention what is claimed as new is:

' A lamp holder comprising a first C-shaped base member having upper and lower legs interconnected by a web, a longitudinal slot in the upper leg of suflicient length to permit the member to be moved a sufficient distance to admit a fluorescent tube, a headed screw extending through said slot and adapted to be secured to a supporting structure, a longitudinal bore in the lower leg, a sleeve having coarse left-hand threads gripping the wall of said bore and adapted to receive the left-hand threaded end of a fluorescent tube, a spring contact in said bore adapted for attachment to a conductive wire, a second C- shaped base member, said second base member including upper and lower legsinterconnected by a web, means to secure the upper leg to a supporting structure, a longitudinal bore in the lower leg, a sleeve having coarse right-hand threads gripping the walls of said bore and adapted to receive the opposed right-hand threaded end of a fluorescent tube, and a spring contact in said bore adapted for attachment to a conductive wire.

ERNEST O. BENNETT.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,136,404 Buchanan Apr. 20, 1915 1,642,626 Paiste Sept. 13, 1927 1,975,666 Riddle Oct. 2, 1934 2,306,908 Stiflel Dec. 29, 1942 

